After taking a break for the Major League All-Star game, all of the Cubs’ affiliates look refreshed as there were both big pitching performances and excellent offensive displays to end the week.
Eugene was a base hit machine thanks to Ian Happ and Eloy Jimenez, while Yasiel Balaguert and David Bote went deep for South Bend.
Tsuyoshi Wada looked sharp for Iowa, but Myrtle Beach got the best of both worlds. The Pelicans’ Jen-Ho Tseng and Jonathan Martinez were in top form while Kevin Brown, … [Read more...]

It was an abbreviated schedule to start the week due to the Midsummer Classic. Pitching once again was the big news as youngster Junior Marte tossed five innings of no-hit ball for the DSL Cubs. Zach Hedges dominated with seven strikeouts for South Bend, and Paul Blackburn returned from the disabled list with three shutout innings. Meanwhile in Arizona, rehabbing pitchers Trey McNutt and Erling Moreno made some progress.
With news from both Eugene and Tennessee, today’s Down on the Farm … [Read more...]

After a big shakeup over the holiday weekend things seem to be settling in for the affiliates as Iowa is on a roll, winning three straight thanks to home runs from Junior Lake, Ryan Dent, Taylor Davis, Jonathan Mota, Matt Szczur, and Kyle Schwarber.
Major leaguers Tsuyoshi Wada and Rafael Soriano were the center of attention in Tennessee, but pitchers Ryan Williams and Pierce Johnson grabbed the spotlight.
Myrtle Beach was unable to capitalize on excellent pitching form Jeremy Null and … [Read more...]

While perhaps a little late to the party, the Cubs made their midseason reshuffle of their personnel over the weekend.
Myrtle Beach is back after scuffling for a while, thanks to the red-hot hitting of Jeimer Candelario. Another player who is swinging it well is Jacob Hannemann, who helped ignite the Tennessee offense.
Pitching was also in the spotlight as South Bend’s Michael Wagner, Iowa’s Donn Roach, and Dylan Cease of the AZL Cubs all had outstanding efforts.
So take a look at Down … [Read more...]

Pitching dominated the end of the week as Eugene got a nine strikeout performance from Oscar De La Cruz while Justin Steele continued to dominate the Northwest League.
Pierce Johnson looks ready to make the next step in his development as he, along with two home runs, helped Tennessee to victory. Meanwhile, Carlos Pimentel also fanned nine for Iowa.
And the AZL Cubs saw the return of one-time Top Ten prospect Trey McNutt for the first time since 2013.
There’s also a lot more, so take … [Read more...]

The Cubs’ affiliates have a new first place team as the Eugene Emeralds took the top spot thanks to the hot hitting of Donnie Dewees and Matt Rose. South Bend remained in first place due to excellent pitching from Tommy Thorpe and Corbin Hoffner.
A 4-for-4 performance by Jeimer Candelario got Myrtle Beach their first win of the second half, while Tennessee and Iowa squandered very good outings from Ryan Williams and Jeffry Antigua.
With other fine efforts from Dylan Cease, Mark Malave, and … [Read more...]

The end of the week saw Myrtle Beach edge closer to a playoff berth as relievers Juan Paniagua and James Pugliese gave the Pelicans a chance to come back. Tennessee holds a slim playoff chance as Pierce Johnson began to heat up. Iowa remains in the hunt as John Andreoli provided a spark.
Meanwhile, the struggling South Bend Cubs dropped two despite the efforts of pitchers Michael Wagner and Jake Stinnett.
The Eugene Emeralds kicked off its season with a sloppy loss behind LHP Carson … [Read more...]

It was a “system sweep” on Sunday as all of the Cubs’ affiliates came away victorious. South Bend used a 5-for-5 performance by shortstop Gleyber Torres, while All-Star Jonathan Martinez tossed a two-hitter for Myrtle Beach. Tennessee had a second successful rehab start by Jacob Turner, and Iowa received another good outing from Dallas Beeler.
But that is not all, as youngsters Pedro Silverio and Andres Bonalde had excellent starts in the Dominican and Venezuelan leagues.
With all of the … [Read more...]

An infielder is knocking at the door for the majors, but it’s not who you think it is. Christian Villanueva has had a monster week, with four home runs in four games for Iowa. In Tennessee, the Smokies have moved into first place thanks to efforts of pitchers Ryan Williams and Felix Pena.
It was All-Star time in the Midwest League as South Bend’s Charcer Burks, Gleyber Torres, and Cael Brockmeyer were named to the squad and came through in a win. Myrtle Beach remains in a funk despite a good … [Read more...]

It has become a week for big hitter as home runs seem to be flying out at will. South Bend welcomed Kevin Encarnacion back as he hit a towering blast. Tennessee got an unexpected power surge from Wes Darvill. And the Iowa Cubs are simply feasting as Christian Villanueva, Matt Szczur, Arismendy Alcantara, and Javier Baez all went deep.
The downside was the Myrtle Beach went into a losing streak. But don’t worry as it is only two games while Jeimer Candelario remains red hot.
Along with … [Read more...]